Sheffield to play home matches in Doncaster at start of 2020

Drew Darbyshire 08 Jan 2020 12:18 PM

Sheffield will play at Doncaster Knights’ Castle Park for their first three games of 2020.

The move will see the Eagles take on Toulouse (February 16), Widnes (March 22) and Oldham (April 15) at the South Yorkshire venue.

Sheffield have had the move sanctioned by the Rugby Football League, with the club returning to the Olympic Legacy Park before the club’s match against Swinton on Sunday, May 3 (3pm).

Construction of the new stadium at the Olympic Legacy Park is commencing with noticeable work now taking place on the wider site which directly relates build of the stadium.

Eagles General Manager Liam Claffey said: “When weighing up this decision, it was the view of the board that it could be no longer than what we have announced. We are Sheffield Eagles; Sheffield is our home and we are proud to represent the Steel City.

“With so many moving parts surrounding the new stadium at the Olympic Legacy Park we as a club needed further time to ensure the Olympic Legacy Park would provide a safe and suitable match day venue with the adequate facilities in place whilst construction occurs on the site.

“This short-term move provides more time to ensure a suitably welcoming environment at the OLP ahead of the new stadium being completed in September and allows the early-stages of construction to take place without interruption from staging professional rugby league matches.

“Whilst it is sad to have to leave Sheffield once again, it can’t be played down how big the new stadium could be for the club and rugby league in the city.”

Should the Eagles be drawn at home in either the Challenge Cup or 1895 Cup prior May, the club will first explore playing these at the Olympic Legacy Park or other venues if required.